Automatic air-inspirator.



H. AI W. THOMASSON. AUTOMATIC AIR INSPIRATOR. APPLICATION FILED IvIAv`8.1917.

Fatented. Mm'. l2, MMS.,

-f--A l iran srafrns Parana onirica HENRY A. W. THOMASSON, OF SOUTHBELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON.

AUTOMATIC AIB-INSPIRATOR.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 8,1917. Serial No. 167,255.

. ,intake manifolds or conduits -of internal combustion engines, and theobjects of the invention are, first, to provide an automatically-closingvalve for the manifold and means for regulating the pressure necessaryto unseat the valve, and, second, to so assemble the parts that readyaccess thereto can be had for purpose of replacement and adjustment.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure1 is a vertical section of the inspirator, portions being shown inelevation.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the valve seat andball receptacle.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a depending air tube 1having its upper end threaded upon the depending arm of an elbow 2, theother arm of which is provided with an apertured nozzle 3 for breakingup the stream of air, the last mention arm of the elbow being threadedlyor otherwise engaged with the wall of an intake manifold l of anengine,'for delivering an auxiliary supply of air thereinto.

In order to automatically control Athe flow of air into the tube 1, aplug 5 is screwed or otherwise engaged into the lower end thereof, andis provided with a wrench-engaging flange 6 bearing upwardly against thelower end of the tube 1.l and enabling the plug to be readily appliedand removed. This plug 5 has attached to its upper surface a pluralityof upstanding prongs 7 of arcuate cross section, and spacedapart toprovide vertical slots therebetween, said prongs being jointly ofcylindrical outline and being spaced from the wall of the tube 1. Theupper ends of the prongs terminate short of the elbow 2, and the plug 5is provided with a central air inlet aperture 8 and a concaved valveseat 9 surrounding said aperture between the lowerends of the prongs 7.A

Patented Mar. ia, raie.

ball valve 10 is movable loosely within the c guide or receptacle formedby the prongs, and one or more balls 11 of suitable weight can bedisposed within said receptacle to add additional weight to the valve10. Thus,

there is a column of balls in the receptacle, the lowermost one of whichprovides a check valve for closing the aperture 8, and said balls can beremoved and inserted at will, according to the pressure at which it isdesired to have the valve unseat. The lower end of elbow 2 has a notch12 for permitting air to pass even when the uppermost hall seats againstthe lower end of the elbow by suction, and the upper ends of the prongs7 are beveled, whereby the balls cannot lodge thereon accidentally.

The .weight imposed on the valve 10 should be suiiicient tol hold saidvalve to its seat when the suction is low, such as in starting theengine, and since the weight of the ball 10 may not be sufficient,additional balls l1 can be placed within the receptacle provided by theprongs 7. When the suction is increased, the valve will be unseated bythe suction, thereby permitting air to flow through the tube 1 and elbow2 into the manifold. Any suitable number of balls 11 can be used, as maybe found necessary, according to the circumstances. The passage of theelbow 2 is of smaller diameter than the balls, whereby the balls cannotbe sucked into the elbow, butwill be stopped by the lower end thereof,which in being provided with the notch 12 permits the air to pass. Byunscrewing the plug 5, it can be readily removed with the balls.

Having thus 'described the invention, what is claimed as new is An airinspirator embodying an elbow adapted for communication with a manifoldand having a reduced intake port at itspdepending end and notchessurrounding said 2 Lawaai?l port, a tube threaded to and depending fromIn testimony that I claim the foregoing the elbow, a plug threaded inthe lower end as my own, I have hereto aIiXed Iny slgnaof the tube andhaving a central aperture, ture. v

and upstanding prongs of arcuate cross sec- Signed at Bellingham,Whatcom county, 5 tion spaced annularly about the aperture, Washington,April 12, 1917.

and balls reciprocable between the prongs,

the lowermost ball seatable on the yalve seat. HENRY A. W. THOMASSON.

